Voice hub processing

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for routing voice communications to groups in a voice communication system using a voice hub system. The voice hub system allows a user to group communication devices into one or more logical networks and/or unit task organizations. The user can then select one or more of the communications groupings to transmit and receive voice communications. A user can change the communication grouping selections automatically changing the communication group that the voice hub system is transmitting and receiving voice messages.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/294,793,which was filed Nov. 14, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,826, and entitledVoice Hub Processing, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to communications and, more particularly,to systems and methods for communicating with communication groups in avoice communication system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of communication systems having wireless mobile communicationunits has become widespread. Wireless communication systems provideseveral important advantages over conventional wired systems. Forexample, wireless communication users can communicate in locations wherewired service is not available or feasible, such as remote or ruggedlocations. Additionally, wireless communication users have much moremobility because they do not have to connect to a fixed wired network.These and other favorable characteristics make wireless communicationsideally suited for personal, business, military, search and rescue, lawenforcement, and water vehicle applications.

Common approaches to providing wireless communication systems aretwo-way radio systems and cellular systems. Cellular systems requirefixed based stations such as cell towers that are coupled to a wirednetwork. These types of systems are not practical when the entirenetwork needs to remain mobile. Typically, two-way radio systems containtheir own self-contained infrastructure, such that all of the mobilecommunication units (e.g., radios, data terminals, voice/data terminals)within a network need to be programmed to similar frequencies orchannels.

Despite the benefits of two-way radios, they have several drawbacks.First, two-way radios typically support only half-duplex operation,meaning that only one user can talk at a time. A user must push a “talk”button to talk to another user and if both users push their “talk”buttons at the same time, then the users cannot hear each other. Thereason for this is that all participants transmit data on the samechannel. Two-way radios also require that users agree upon and select aparticular channel to use for a conversation. A user can only talk toothers tuned to the same parameters (e.g., frequency, modulation type,cryptographic settings, frequency-hopping settings). Typically, thismeans that a user can only talk to others that have similar types ofradio equipment. If the channel being used is lost, or cannot be usedbecause of excessive interference, then the users must transfer to adifferent channel, which in practice can be difficult to do because evenif an alternate channel has been previously agreed upon it is oftendifficult to create a reliable method for all parties to determine thatthe original channel is no longer available.

Two-way radio systems are often line-of-sight-type radio systems.Military line-of-sight-type radios are typically VHF (Very HighFrequency) or UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radios that broadcast infrequencies from about 30 MHZ to 300 MHZ, and have effective ranges ofabout 5-25 miles, based on RF power, the antenna/mast height used withthe radio, and other factors. These VHF/UHF radio types have limitedrange capabilities, but are used because these radio bands can be highlyreliable. Other radio types can at times provide beyond-line-of-sightservice, for example, HF (High Frequency) radios. HF radios broadcast infrequency ranges from about 1 MHZ to about 20 MHZ, and can at timesachieve much longer ranges than VHF/UHF radios. However, the HF radiobroadcasts are much less reliable than the VHF/UHF radio broadcasts.

Current line-of-sight voice communication systems are broadcast ondedicated networks. The radios are set in frequencies that operate onlyin the line-of-sight, as these provide high reliability within theline-of-sight constraints. These radio types are typically push-to-talk,half-duplex systems that allow a person to talk only to other radiosthat are operating within the same physical network. While highlyreliable within these constraints, it is highly desirable to allowdirect half-duplex voice communications to occur with different groupsor organizations across different logical networks.

Additionally, in certain line-of-sight voice communication systems suchas military line-of-sight voice communication systems, existingbattlefield communications systems require a military user, that wantsto talk to another military user over a battlefield voice communicationssystem, to know in advance which media is appropriate to reach thatuser, and then for the originating user to take actions specific to thatparticular media, in order to establish a voice circuit. For example, auser may need to select and pick up a handset specific to thatappropriate media, or set a switch to select the specific communicationsmedia, or a similar action. This imposes a significant knowledge burdenon the originator of the voice call, in order to reach the intendedrecipient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intendedneither to identify key or critical elements of the invention nordelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to themore detailed description that is presented later.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for routing voicecommunications to groups of recipients (e.g., listeners, where each“group” can be designated as a single such listener, or a specific setof such listeners) in a voice communication system using a voice hubsystem. The voice hub system allows a user to group communicationdevices into one or more logical networks and/or unit taskorganizations. The user can then select one or more of thecommunications groupings to transmit and receive voice communications,for example, via a hand set. A user can change the communicationgrouping selections through a single button-push or menu-selectionaction, and thereby automatically change the group to which the voicehub system is transmitting.

In one aspect of the present invention, only the set of “listeners”specified by the group definition can hear the transmitted voice stream.Therefore, other users that are not members of the group, includingthose on the same network, cannot hear voice transmissions that are notdirected to them. Additionally, a user can talk to other users withoutneeding to know what type of radio other members are utilizing, whatnetwork they are tuned into, or any other technical information. A usercan just select another user by name from a computer menu. One keyaspect of the current invention is the ability to direct a voice messageto a member without requiring the user to know any technical detailsregarding the communication.

In one aspect of the invention, the voice communication system is amobile communication system having a plurality of members grouped aslogical networks and/or unit task organizations. The voicecommunications are transmitted as digitized voice packets over radiofrequency links. The digitized voice packets contain one or moredestination group addresses. One or more routers (e.g., mobile routers)are provided in the system that receive the digitized voice packet andextract the routing information. The routing information is used inconjunction with a router database to determine which identified groupto route the digitized voice packets. The one or more routers can beadapted to receive and route voice communications to and from differentradio types, communication protocols (e.g., channels, frequency hoppingschemes) and security protocols (e.g., encryption, decryption) acrossone or more logical networks.

The router database provides the one or more routers with informationregarding groupings of logical networks, groupings of unit taskorganizations and connections of the mobile communication units with therouters. The router can receive configuration information from aconfiguration manager or the voice hub that defines the logical networkgroupings and unit task organizations. The router utilizes destinationinformation (e.g., group identification) in digitized voice packets andthe router database to transmit voice packets in multicast format.Administrative routines are executed to periodically update the routerdatabases with respect to router connections of the one or more routers.

In one aspect of the invention, the mobile communication system is atwo-way radio communication system having a plurality of half-duplexline-of-sight radio devices configured as one or more logical networks.At least one router is provided in the mobile communication system. Theat least one router can be integrated into a two-way radio device or bea stand-alone router device. The router can be mobile such that theentire network and coverage area of the entire network is mobile. Therouter can be directly connected to one or more radio devices throughdifferent ports, so that the router can transmit multicast voicemessages across radio devices of different logical networks. The routercan be coupled to a voice hub system, such that the router routes voicemessages to and from the voice hub system in addition to other radiodevices in the communication system. In most aspects of the invention,computers, displays, software, and databases allow the user to specifyto whom the user wishes to talk to by name, whether individual users, orgroups of users that the user has defined.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connectionwith the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspectsare indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed and the present invention isintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the invention when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication systemhaving a voice hub system in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an organization chart representing members of anorganization.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a voice hub system having awireless router in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a voice hub system using a routersystem in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of a voice processingsystem in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a possible user interface for groupinglogical networks and unit task organizations in accordance with anaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication systemhaving a configuration manager in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a communication group selection screen in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of a router in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a methodology for transmittingvoice messages to one or more communication groups in accordance with anaspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for routing voicecommunications to groups in a voice communication system using a voicehub processor. The voice communication system can be a mobilecommunication system having a plurality of members grouped as logicalnetworks and/or unit task organizations. A “unit” can be defined as asingle entity in an organizational structure. The “unit taskorganization” is then the overall organization plan by which units aregrouped and interrelated, according to the tasks they perform. The unittask organization can be a configured network, a team within a networkor a team across a plurality of different networks.

In a military organization, units may include such entities asdivisions, brigades, companies, fleets, ships, aircraft groups and soforth. Alternatively, a unit can be a group of artillery personnelresiding in different divisions, brigades, companies, fleets, ships,aircraft groups within different communication networks. In a businesscontext, units can include such entities as corporations, groups,sectors, divisions, branches, departments, and individuals with variousjob titles. Similarly, organizational units with other appropriate namesare used in governmental and educational organizations.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for routing voicecommunications to groups of recipients (e.g., listeners, where each“group” can be designated as a single such listener, or a specific setof such listeners) in a voice communication system using a voice hubsystem. The voice hub system allows a user to group communicationdevices into one or more logical networks and/or unit taskorganizations. The user can then select one or more of thecommunications groupings to transmit and receive voice communications.The communication grouping selections can be selectable automaticallychanging the group to which the voice hub system is transmitting. Forexample, once a communication group is selected, only the set of“listeners” specified by the group definition can hear the transmittedvoice stream. Therefore, other users that are not members of the group,including those on the same network, cannot hear voice transmissionsthat are not directed to them. Additionally, a user can talk to otherusers without needing to know what type of radio other members areutilizing, what network they are tuned into, or any other technicalinformation. A user can just select another user by name from a computermenu. The user can direct a voice message to a member without requiringthe user to know any technical details regarding the communication.

One or more routers (e.g., mobile routers) receive the digitized voicepackets and extract routing information from the digitized voicepackets. The routing information is used in conjunction with a routerdatabase to determine where to route the digitized voice packets. Theone or more routers can be adapted to receive and route voicecommunications in a multicast transmission to and from members indifferent networks and using different communication protocols.

In one aspect of the invention, the present invention integratesavailable communications media so that the media is available through asingle handset/headset, and more importantly, the communications mediais under the control of a computer software application that manages a“phone dialer” software application that draws upon knowledge of thesupported mobile communication units (e.g., military unit), and itsexisting communications media, links, networks, and users active on eachin order to automatically select the optimal media to reach the desireduser. The optimal media can be a voice intercom, wireless LAN, wiredLAN, single-channel radios of various sorts, SATCOM, commercialtelecommunications infrastructures, or a secure network-routed voiceprocessing system. The result is that the user placing the call does notneed to know which communications device or media is the one that willreach the intended recipient, because the voice hub computer and itssoftware automate the process. In most aspects of the invention,computers, displays, software, and databases allow the user to specifyto whom the user wishes to talk by name, whether individual users, orgroups of users that the user has defined.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile voice communication system 10 utilizing avoice hub system 14 in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention. The voice hub system 14 transmits voice messages through arouter 12 to one or more mobile communication units. The voice hubsystem 14 provides a user with selectability between voicecommunications with different groups of mobile communication systems.For example, the plurality of mobile communication units can be groupedinto one or more logical networks and/or unit task organizations. Thevoice hub system 14 can provide a user with selectability betweencommunicating with one or more of those groups through a user interfaceor the like.

The voice hub system 14 includes a voice processor 18, which processesthe user's group selection. For example, the voice processor 18 caninvoke a routing connection list containing routing information forreceiving and transmitting voice communications with the voice hubsystem 14. The routing connection list can reside in the voice hubsystem 14 or be transmitted to a router 12 as configuration information,such that the router 12 can transmit and receive voice messages betweenthe voice hub system 14 and the selected group of mobile communicationunits. A hand set 16 is integrated into the voice hub system 14 andcoupled to the voice processor 18. The hand set 16 includes a speakerfor receiving voice messages and a microphone for transmitting voicemessages. A user selects a particle communication group, and then cancommunicate with members of that group through the hand set 16. Thevoice messages are wirelessly transmitted between a transceiver 20 andthe router 12. The router 12 routes the voice messages between the voicehub system 14 and the selected group of mobile communication units.

The present invention is particularly useful in mobile voicecommunication systems (e.g., two-way radio communication systems) sincemembers are constantly moving and task organizations are constantlychanging. However, it is to be appreciated that the present inventioncan be implemented in other voice communication systems having membersthat are disposed in fixed locations.

The mobile communication system 10 also includes a plurality of mobilecommunication units (MCUs) 24-26, 30-34, and 38-42 operative tocommunicate with the voice hub system 14 and one another wirelessly viarespective antennas. The mobile communication units 24-26, 30-34, and38-42 transmit voice messages from one unit to one or more (e.g., 1 toN) of the other mobile communication units, router 12 and the voice hubsystem 14. The voice hub system 14 and the mobile communication units24-26, 30-34, and 38-42 can also transmit data information (e.g.,administrative data, location data, configuration data, priority data).The mobile communication system 10 can be, for example, a two-way radiocommunication system (e.g., a plurality of half-duplex line-of-sightradio units) configured as a self-contained radio communication system,such that the system has a self-contained infrastructure. Therefore, thesystem does not include a fixed base station or wired network serving asa central server.

The mobile communication system 10 includes a plurality of mobilecommunication units configured as logical networks. A first logicalnetwork 22 includes mobile communication units 24 and 26. A secondlogical network 28 includes mobile communication units 30, 32 and 34. Athird logical network 36 includes mobile communication units 38, 40 and42. The router 12 is configured to allow voice communication to occurbetween mobile communication units within different networks, andbetween the voice hub system 14 and different groupings of mobilecommunication units.

For example, a voice message can be initiated at mobile communicationunit 24 from logical network A. The voice message can be transmitteddirectly to the mobile communication unit 26 since both are members ofthe logical network A. Additionally, the router 12 can be configured toreceive the voice message, and route the voice message to the mobilecommunication 30 in logical network B, and to the mobile communicationunits 38 in the logical network C, such that mobile communication units24, 26 and 38 form a subnetwork or subteam. The router 12 can bepreconfigured and/or configured by disseminating configurationinformation from the voice hub system 14 or a separate configurationmanager.

In the present example of FIG. 1, a subteam or subnetwork 44 is formedfrom the mobile communication unit 26 in logical network A, and themobile communication unit 34 in logical network B. A user at the voicehub system 14 selects the subteam or subnetwork 44 to begin transmissionand receipt of voice messages. The voice processor 18 then transmitsinformation that informs the router 12 of the selected communicationgrouping. The information can be contained in voice packets of thetransmitted voice message. The voice processor 18 also formats the voicemessage in the appropriate communication format for transmission to boththe mobile communication unit 26 and the mobile communication unit 34.For example, if the mobile communication unit 26 and the mobilecommunication unit 34 may require different communication configurations(e.g., protocols), the voice processor will store the differentcommunication configurations and transmit the voice message in amulticast transmission. That is different copies of the voice message indifferent formats are stored in a buffer. The different copies are thentransmitted consecutively, such that the mobile communication unitsreceive the voice message in its particular desired format.Alternatively, the router 12 can be programmed to transmit the voicemessages in a multicast transmission.

The router 12 can be mobile and move within the communication range ofthe system 10, such that the entire coverage range of the system 10 ismobile. The router 12 can route voice messages to the mobilecommunication units that cannot receive the voice messages directly(e.g., different logical networks, different radio types, differentcommunication protocols). Alternatively, the router 12 can route allvoice messages transmitted by one or more of the mobile communicationunits. The router 12 can also be programmed to route voicecommunications between mobile communication units that are of differentradio types, different frequency hop-sets and different cryptographicvariable sets.

It is to be appreciated that the mobile communication system 10 caninclude a plurality of routers. Additionally, each mobile communicationunit can include an integrated built-in router to facilitate routing ofvoice messages to members of a selected group. The routers can bedynamically updated to determine when a new member (e.g., mobilecommunication unit, router) enters the system 10. The respective routeris then provided with information related to parameters (e.g., radiotype, frequency hop-set, cryptographic variable set, network, subnetworkaddress, group membership) associated with the new member.

In one aspect of the invention, a speech pattern or voice message isprovided to the hand set 16 of the voice hub system 14, which is thenamplified and converted into digitized voice data. The digitized voicedata can be in the form of digitized voice packets, such as Voice OverInternet Protocol (VoIP) packets, Network Voice Protocol (NVP) packetsor any other form of digitized voice or digitized speech data.Identification information is provided in the digitized voice packets,for example, in a header of the digitized voice packets. The header cancontain data type, data source, data destinations, data security anddata priority information. The packets can be transmitted and addressedto multiple mobile communications units within different networkaddresses, subnet addresses and/or subteam addresses. The packets arethen converted to an analog voice signal to be transmitted over the airvia a radio frequency link. The analog voice signal can be modulated andtransmitted over the air as modulated radio transmission waves orelectromagnetic waves.

The router 12 can employ a router database to determine who is connectedto the destination units, and how to send the voice data to particularmobile communication units and/or the voice hub system 14. For example,the router database can provide information regarding the particularmobile communication units within the range of the router, the radiotype, and the logical network and/or unit task organization groupingswhich the mobile communication unit resides. The routers 12 can thenemploy this information to route the voice data to one or more of therespective mobile communication units. A mobile communication unit canbe a member of one or more networks, subnets and/or subteams.

FIG. 2 illustrates an organization chart 60 representing members of anorganization. The organization chart 60 has been grouped into aplurality of communication groupings representing different unit taskorganizations. The organization includes a master unit 62 who cancommunicate to any or all of the unit task organizations. A first unittask organization 64 is grouped into a logical network A. The first unittask organization includes leader #1, subleader #1, subleader #2,general member #1, general member #2 and general member #3. A secondunit task organization 66 is grouped into a logical network B. Thesecond unit task organization 66 includes leader #2, subleader #3,general member #4, and general member #5. A third unit task organization68 is grouped into a logical network C. The third unit task organization68 includes leader #3, general member #6, general member #7 and generalmember #8.

A fourth unit task organization 70 is formed of leader #1, leader #2,and leader #3. The fourth unit task organization 70 is grouped into acommunication grouping of all leaders across the different logicalnetworks A, B, C, forming subnet or subteam D. A fifth unit taskorganization 72 is formed of general member #3, general member #5 andgeneral member #8. The fifth unit task organization 72 is grouped into acommunication grouping of general members across the different logicalnetworks A, B, C, forming subnet or subteam E. The present inventionallows for grouping and voice communications to occur across thedifferent logical networks, such that different subnets or subteams canbe formed.

For example, communication grouping of all the leaders can be importantwhen the leaders are different military battalions, companies orplatoons that need to communicate with one another directly.Additionally, the master unit 62 can be brigade commander who wants tospeak to the subordinate commanders before commencement of an operation,such as subnet D. The brigade commander may want to speak with allartillery personal such as formed from a communication groupings ofgeneral members of subnet E.

Communication grouping of all the leaders can be important when theleaders are different business divisions, departments or groups thatneed to communicate with one another directly. The master unit 62 can bea chief financial officer who wants to speak to all of the vicepresidents of the company. The chief financial officer may want to speakwith all finance or accounting personal such as formed from acommunication groupings of general members of subnet E.

One or more routers are provided that allow voice communications to betransmitted across the logical networks A, B, C. Therefore, the routersprovide a mechanism for communications to occur within or to differentunit task organizations of a substantially larger organization. Eachmember in the organization can then be provided a communication unitthat transmits voice messages that can be routed to one or moredestination units based on the communication groupings. The routers canbe preprogrammed prior to placement in the field and/or periodicallyprogrammed by a configuration manager.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a voice hub system 80 utilizing awireless router 92 in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention. The voice hub system 80 includes a computer 82 coupled to therouter 92, for example, via a LAN connection. The computer 82 includes avoice hub processing module 84 formed of one or more components. Thecomponents can be software, hardware or a combination of hardware andsoftware. The voice hub processing module 84 allows a user to groupand/or select voice communication units into one or more communicationgroups, such as logical networks and/or unit task organizations. Theuser can then select a particular grouping, which allows a user totransmit and receive voice communications with the selected group. Theselection can cause configuration information to be transmitted to therouter 92. Alternatively, the router 92 can be pre-configured and theselection information provided in the voice messages. For example, groupinformation can reside at the router 92, and the router 92 can use groupidentification numbers in the voice messages and the group informationto determine where and how to route the voice messages.

A hand set 86 is coupled to the computer for voice communications to andfrom the voice hub 80. The uses can then send and receive voicecommunications to and from the selected communication group using thehand set 86. An input device 88 is coupled to the computer 82. The inputdevice 88 allows a user to provide input information to generate andselect between the communication groups. A display 90 is coupled to thecomputer that provides the user with a user interface to allow the userto group voce communication devices and/or select from different voicecommunication groups.

The router 92 can be programmed to route the voice data in the form ofdigitized packets using address information contained in the digitizedpackets. The router 92 can convert the digitized voice packets intoanalog signal for transmission over an antenna 98. The router 92 cantransmit the voice message to different networks using a particularmodulation scheme, frequency-hopping scheme, security scheme andcommunication protocol understandable by those in the respectivenetwork. Destination voice communication devices or units can receivethe voice communication from the router 92 or other voice communicationdevices in its respective network. The destination voice communicationunits can convert the voice communication into digitized packets. Thedigitized packets can then be transformed back into the voice messageand played over the destination voice communication units.

In one aspect of the invention, the voice communication devices arehalf-duplex radios. Each radio can be operative to communicate with adifferent set of radios in a wireless network. The different set ofradios can be configured to operate as subnets, logical networks and/orunit task organizations. The computer 82 can process the selected groupand transmit information about the selected group to the router 92. Forexample, configuration information can be provided from the computer tothe router 92. The router 92 can generate a router database from theconfiguration information defining routing connections for one or morelogical networks and/or unit task organizations. The selected groupinformation can then be provided in the voice messages, which the router92 can extract. Alternatively, source information can reside in thevoice message, and the router can use the knowledge the router has onthe grouping membership to determine where to router the voice message.The router 92 can use the information in the router database and thevoice information to route the messages to the appropriate destinations.Therefore, communication from the hand set 86 can be transmitted to therouter 92, which determines routing information within voice messages toroute the voice message to radios within the selected group.

The router 92 includes a processor 94 coupled to a memory device 96. Thememory device 96 provides the processor 94 with appropriate algorithmsto route voice messages between the voice hub system 80 and one or morelogical networks and/or unit task organizations. The processor 92 can beprogrammed to decrypt and/or decipher voice data in one protocol from afirst voice communication device, and provide a separate encryption andprotocol to the voice data to send to a second voice communicationdevice and/or the voice hub system 80. The processor 94 can alsoextracts routing information from the voice data, and transmit the voicedata to a second router system or directly to specific voicecommunication devices in a desired subnet. Voice packets can be queuedin the memory device 96 for multicast transmission for transmitting indifferent communication protocols to multiple subnets.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a voice hub system 110 utilizing arouter system 121 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.The voice hub system 110 includes a computer 112 coupled to the routersystem 121, for example, via a LAN connection. The computer 112 includesa voice hub processing module 114. The voice hub processing module 114allows a user to group voice communication units into one or morecommunication groups, such as logical networks and/or unit taskorganizations. The user can then select a particular communicationgroup, which allows a user to transmit and receive voice communicationswith the selected communication group. The selection can causeconfiguration information to be transmitted to the router system 121.Alternatively, the router system 121 can be pre-configured and theselection provided in the voice messages, such that group information isalready provided to the router, and the router uses group identificationnumbers and/or source information to determine where and how to routethe voice messages.

A hand set 116 is coupled to the computer 112 for voice communicationsto and from the voice hub system 110. The user can then send and receivevoice communications to and from one or more selected communicationgroups. An input device 118 is coupled to the computer 112. The inputdevice 118 allows a user to provide input information to generatecommunication groupings and select between the communication groups. Adisplay 120 is coupled to the computer 112 that provides the user with auser interface to allow the user to group voice communication devicesand/or select from different voice communication groups.

The router system 121 includes a router 122 coupled to a first radio 136through a first port 128, a second radio 138 through a second port 130,a third radio 140 through a third port 132 and a fourth radio 142through a fourth port 134. The first port 128, the second port 130, thethird port 132 and the fourth port 134 can be different port types. Forexample, the ports can be any of RS-232 ports, RS-422 ports, RS-485ports, USB ports, parallel ports, IEEE standard ports and LANconnections. The first radio 136, the second radio 138, the third radio140 and the fourth radio 142 can be radios of different types,communicating with different frequency hopping schemes, differentencryption schemes, different modulation schemes using differentprotocols over different networks.

For example, the first radio 136 is configured to communicate withinlogical network A, the second radio 138 is configured to communicatewithin logical network B, the third radio 140 is configured tocommunicate within logical network C, and the fourth radio 142 isconfigured to communicate within logical network D. The router 122 canbe programmed to receive voice communications from radio devices withina first network, and transmit that voice communications to radio devicesin one or more of the other networks. For example, a voice communicationcan be received by the first radio 136 from a member in network A. Thevoice communication can be converted into digitized packets containingaddress source and destination information. The router can employ arouter database to determine the desired destinations of the voicecommunications across one or more of the other networks (e.g., networkB, network C, network D).

The router 122 includes a processor 124 coupled to a memory device 126.The memory device 126 provides the processor 124 with appropriatealgorithms to route voice messages from one radio network and/or subnetto one or more other radio networks and/or subnets. For example, theprocessor 124 can be programmed to decrypt and/or decipher voice data inone protocol from a first radio type, and provide a separate encryptionand protocol to the voice data to send through a second radio type. Theprocessor 124 can also extracts routing information from the voice dataand transmits the voice data to a second router system or directly tospecific radios in a desired subnet. Voice packets can be queued in thememory device 126 for multicast transmission across multiple networks.

The router 122 can be programmed to route the voice data in the form ofdigitized packets using the address information. The radios can beadapted to convert the digitized voice packets into analog signal fortransmission over their respective networks using a particular radiotype, modulation scheme, frequency hopping scheme, security scheme andcommunication protocol understandable by those in the respectivenetwork. The destination radios can then receive the voice communicationfrom radios in their respective networks and convert the voicecommunication into digitized packets understandable by the respectiveradio. The digitized packets can then be transformed back into the voicemessage and played over the destination radios.

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of a voice hub processingsystem 150 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Thevoice hub processing system 150 allows a user to setup selectcommunication groups (e.g., logical networks, unit task organizations)of voice communications devices (e.g., two-way radio devices), and setup a phone dialer system, so that a user can automatically selectbetween one or more groups for communicating voice messages. The system150 includes a user interface 152 coupled to an editor 154 that allows auser to define unit task organizations and logical networks. The unittask organizations can be a logical network or a subnetwork havingmembers across one or more logical networks. The function of the userinterface 152 and the editor 154 is to permit an authorized user to makeconfiguration changes, additions to the logical communication networksand task organizations, and equipment parameters of members in thecommunication system.

The system 150 includes a network grouping development module 156coupled to the editor 154. The network grouping development module 156allows a user to define new networks and assign members to thosenetworks. The network development module 156 also allows a user tomodify logical networks among entities that will be using the network ornetworks being configured. The system 150 includes a task organizationdevelopment module 158. The task organization development module 158allows a user to define or modify organizational relationships amongentities that will be using the network being configured.

The system 150 also includes an equipment development module 160 coupledto the user interface 152 via the editor 154. The equipment developmentmodule 160 can provide information relating to the communicationequipment such as radio type, router type, communication protocol,frequency hop-set, and cryptographic variable set. The equipmentdevelopment module 150 also establishes a relationship between eachcommunication unit and the platform on which it functions. The platformcan be further defined by platform identification, platform type,equipment set identification, equipment elements and the type of unit,such as router, host, radio. The term “platform” can be used to definethe working environment of a communication device. The “platform” datamay pertain to a vehicle, such as an automobile, an armored tank, a shipor an aircraft. For example, a router can reside on a jeep that travelsalong with the entire mobile communication unit such that the routerbecomes mobile. Data about the jeep would then be considered platformdata.

The system 150 then provides the network grouping information, the taskorganization information and the equipment information to a logicalcommunication network and organization development module 162. Thelogical communication network and organization development module 162converts the logical networks and organizations developed to physicalnetworks and organizations using a physical communication network andorganization development module 166.

The physical communication network and organization development module166 uses all input data pertaining to the network, the desired logicalnetworks, and task organizations to derive corresponding physicalnetwork and organization parameters. Data defining both the logical andphysical networks and organizations are combined to form a networkoperational database 164. The physical communication network andorganization development module 166 also generates a set of managementinformation blocks 168. The management information blocks 168 containdata for reconfiguring members in the mobile communication system inaccordance with a new configuration.

The network operational database 164 and the management informationblocks 168 are provided to a configuration disseminator 170. Theconfiguration disseminator 170 transmits the configuration informationincluding data from the network operational database and managementinformation blocks to the routers. Transmission can be made in astandard format, such as the simple network management protocol (SNMP).SNMP is designed to facilitate monitoring of network bridges androuters, but the same protocol can be used in the present invention tocontrol and program bridges and/or routers in accordance with a newconfiguration.

The system 150 also includes an organization selector 172 coupled to theuser interface 152. The organization selector 172 allows a user toselect between one or more groupings of logical networks and/or taskunit organizations to communicate with over a voice transmitter 174. Amicrophone 176 is coupled to the voice transmitter 174 which convertsaudible sounds into electrical signals. A speaker 178 is coupled to thevoice transmitter 174 for converting electrical signals into audiblesounds. The user can change groups automatically by selecting a newgroup on the user interface 152.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a possible graphical user interface(GUI) 200 for grouping voice communication units in accordance with anaspect of the present invention. The GUI 200 includes a tool bar menu202, an organizational chart image 204 and a plurality of commandbuttons. The GUI 200 allows the user to define logical networks, newtask organization units and to move existing logical networks and taskorganization units to new positions using a familiar “drag-and-drop”operation with a mouse or similar pointing device. Configurations thatare contrary to logical network and unit task rules and restrictions arenot permitted, and appropriate error messages are communicated to theuser through the GUI 200.

The tool bar 202 includes pull down menus labeled as “FILE”, “EDIT”,“ADD”, “ENTER” and “HELP”. A user can load an organizational charttemplate from the “FILE” pull down menu, and then add/edit/deletemembers, group members as logical networks and/or task groups inaddition to adding, defining and editing equipment definitions ofmembers. A standard “HELP” menu is provided for assisting the users withthe GUI 200.

The plurality of command buttons include an “ADD/EDIT NETWORK” button206 that allows a user to add a logical network or edit an existinglogical network. For example, the user can drag and drop members on theGUI 200, and click on the “ADD/EDIT NETWORK” button 206 to create a newlogical network. Alternatively, the user can click on an existingnetwork to modify or delete that network by clicking on the “ADD/EDITNETWORK” button 206. Other menus (not shown) can be provided tocustomize the creation and/or editing of a logical network. The GUI 200also includes an “ADD/EDIT TASK GROUP” button 208 for adding and/orediting task groups, and an “ADD/EDIT EQUIPMENT” button 210 for addingor editing equipment.

The command buttons also include an “ENTER EQUIPMENT PARAMETERS” button214, an “ENTER NETWORK PARAMETERS” button 216, and an “ENTER TASK GROUPPARAMETERS” button 218. The buttons 214, 216 and 218 allow a user toenter certain parametric information about the networks, the task groupsand the equipment employed in the communication system. An “EXIT” buttonis provided that allows the user to exit the graphical user interface. A“SELECTION SCREEN” button 212 allows a user to move to a group selectionscreen (e.g., a phone dialer screen) once all of the desired groups havebeen created. The group selection screen allows a user to select aparticle group for communicating voice messages. The same functionalityprovided by the command buttons can also be implemented through the toolbar 202.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mobile communication system 230 utilizing aconfiguration manager 232 that disseminates configuration information inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention. The configurationmanager 232 utilizes a network and task group definitions component 234to program one or more routers in the mobile communications system 230using similar functionality as illustrated in FIG. 5. The network andtask group definitions component 234 define the network groupings andunit task organization groupings of the mobile communication system 230.The configuration manager 232 transmits this information to routers 238and 242 and the routers 238 and 242 generate a respective routerdatabase defining group routing connection lists that are used totransmit voice messages to grouped communication units.

The mobile communication system 230 includes a plurality of mobilecommunication units (MCU) 236 and 240 operative to transmit voicesignals wirelessly via respective antennas. The mobile communicationunits 236 and 240 can also transmit data information (e.g.,administrative data, location data, configuration data, priority data).The mobile communication system 230 can be, for example, a two-way radiocommunication system configured as a self-contained radio communicationsystem, such that the system has a self-contained infrastructure.

The mobile communication system 230 includes a plurality of mobilecommunication units 240 having built-in routers 242, a plurality ofstand-alone mobile communication units 236 and a plurality ofstand-alone routers 238. The configuration manager 232 programs therouters to facilitate routing of voice messages between groupings ofmobile communication units defined as unit task organizations and/orlogical networks. The configuration manager 232 transmits configurationmessages to the routers periodically. The configuration messages containinformation defining the network groupings and unit task organizationgroupings. The definition of the network groupings and unit taskorganization groupings can include, for example, network memberidentifiers, the physical location of the members, the relationshipbetween the physical and logical addresses and the interconnection pathbetween the members.

The physical address is a unique numerical or other code that uniquelydefines the member (e.g., mobile communication unit, router, voice hubsystem) and the local network to which it is connected. The logicaladdress is usually a name or label associated with the member or theperson using it. The logical address, which may include a person's name,is the address other users employ to direct messages to the personwithout having to remember or look up a long and complicated physicaladdress. The configuration messages also contain information relating tomember types (e.g., radio types, router types), communicationcharacteristics (e.g., different frequency hop-sets), member securityinformation (e.g., cryptographic variable sets), member and taskpriority information, network parameters, equipment parameters, unittask organization parameters and configuration timing information.

Once configured, the routers 238 and 242 are programmed to create arespective router database or member group connection list, and employthe router database or member connection list in routing voice messagesbetween groupings of mobile communication units, a voice hub systemand/or other routers. Additionally, a voice hub system can be configuredas a mobile communication unit forming part of a logical network and/orunit task organization, such that communication with the voice hubsystem appears to be to another mobile communication unit. Theconfiguration manager 232 can be integrated into the voice hub systemthat acts a central command center for communicating and/or constantlyrearranging member groupings as logical networks, subnetworks and/orunit task organizations.

The router database can include members connectable by the router and/orrouters in the mobile communication system. Additionally, the routers238 and 242 are programmed to perform administration updates (e.g., adynamic routing protocol) based on movement of members and location ofthe member with respect to the routers 238 and 242. The administrativeupdates can be transmitted between the routers 238 and 242, such thatthe routers 238 and 242 can update their respective router databases.

The routers 238 and 242 can also determine optimal transmission paths toroute the voice message to desired receivers, for example, through otherrouters and/or mobile communication units. The optimal transmissionpaths can be provided using statistical modeling, decision modeling,bayesian modeling or other decision techniques. The routers optimal pathcan be based on one or more parameters (e.g., time, priority, routerlocation, mobile communication unit location, bandwidth, load sharing).

FIG. 8 illustrates a group selection interface screen 260 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention. The group selection interfacescreen 260 forms part of a phone dialer system, such that a user canselect between one or more groups to exchange voice communications. Theuser can automatically change, add and/or remove communication groupsusing the group selection interface screen 260. The group selectioninterface screen 260 includes a graphical display list of selectablecommunication groups 262. The communication group selections arecomprised of groupings of voice communication unit into logical networksand/or unit task organizations. The list of communication groupselections 262 include a “NETWORK A” selection 264, a “NETWORK B”selection 266, a “NETWORK C” selection 268, a “GROUP 1” selection 270, a“GROUP 2” selection 272 and a “GROUP 3” selection 274.

A user can select to communicate voice messages with one or more of theselection groups by selecting a group, for example, with a computerpointer, and then clicking on a “SELECT/DESELECT ORGANIZATION” button280. The user can repeat the selection process until all the desiredgroups have been selected. The user can remove the communication groupby unselecting the group and clicking on the “SELECT/DESELECTORGANIZATION” button 280. Once all the desired groups have beenselected, the user can begin voice communications by selecting a“TRANSMIT VOICE” button 282. A user can add, delete or modify acommunication group by selecting the “EDIT SCREEN” button 278, whichwill provide the user with an edit screen such as the one illustrated inFIG. 6. A user can exit the selection screen 260 by selecting an “EXIT”button 284.

FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of a router 300 inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention. The router 300includes a control system 302 that receives digitized voice inputmessages addressed to one or more mobile communication units, logicalnetworks and/or unit task organization groups. The router 300 providesdigitized voice output messages that can contain additional routinginformation to assure that the voice data reaches the appropriate mobilecommunication units. The control system 302 receives configurationinformation 304 from a configuration manager or disseminator. Theconfiguration information 304 includes a network operational database306, a configuration timing component 308 and a set of managementinformation blocks 310.

The network operation database 306 defines the members of the logicalnetworks and/or members of the unit task organizations, priorities andinitial network and organization connections. The configuration timingcomponent 308 informs the router 300 when it is time to switch over tothe new configuration, for example, at a predetermined time via atrigger signal or immediately upon receiving the new configurationinformation. The management information blocks 310 contain data forreconfiguring the router 300 in accordance with the new configuration.

The control system 302 utilizes the configuration information increating an initial router database 316 and a task priority informationset 322. The router database 316 includes information relating torouting connections to the mobile communication units within networkgroupings and/or unit task organization groupings, and communicationparameters associated with the mobile communication units. Anadministration routine 312 periodically executes to determine whichmobile communication units and routers are within the communicationrange of the router 300, and provides administration updates 312 basedon the determination. The administrative updates 314 also include therouting connection lists of other routers, such that optimaltransmission paths can be determined for transmitting voice messages tomembers outside the router 300. The administrative updates 312 areprovided to the router database 316 to continuously update the router300 with information relating to members within the communication rangeof the router 300.

The control system 302 extracts routing information from the digitizedvoice input message 318 addressed to one or more mobile communicationunits. For example, the routing information can include informationrelating to the sender of the voice message, a group member list forwhich the voice message is intended and expected optimal pathsdetermined by the sender. The control system 302 then determines if thedesired voice message is for any device coupled to the router 300, andremoves the device from the member list and provides the message in theform of digitized voice data to the coupled device. The control system302 then determines if any of the optimal paths have changed andreconfigures the changed optimal paths. The control system 302 thenreconfigures the routing information in the digitized voice message in318, and provides the new routing information and member list in thedigitized voice message out 320. The digitized voice message out 320 canthen be transferred to members on the member list and additional routersif necessary. Alternatively, the voice message can be transmitted inmulticast format to different members in a selected group.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features describedabove, methodology in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention will be better appreciated with reference to FIG. 10. While,for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodology of FIG. 10 isshown and described as executing serially, it is to be understood andappreciated that the present invention is not limited by the illustratedorder, as some aspects could, in accordance with the present invention,occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other aspects fromthat shown and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated featuresmay be required to implement a methodology in accordance with an aspectthe present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a methodology for transmitting voice messages to oneor more communication groups in a voice communication system inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention. The voicecommunication system can be a wireless network having plurality ofhalf-duplex two-way radio devices and one or more routers configured toprovide multicast transmissions to radio devices grouped as networksand/or unit task organizations. The radio devices can be operative totransmit voice messages that are digitized during processing and routedby the radios and routers. The devices can be grouped as logicalnetworks and/or unit task organizations, and one or more groups selectedfor communicating voice messages with the one or more groups using avoice hub system.

The methodology being at 400 where one or more network groupings and/orunit task organization groupings of members are defined. For example,one or more networks can be defined by grouping voice communicationunits into logical networks. The voice communication units can also begrouped into unit task organizations across one or more logicalnetworks. The methodology then proceeds to 410.

At 410, configuration information is generated based on the definedgroupings. The configuration information can include operationaldatabase information defining the network groupings, unit taskorganization groupings, member physical and logical address information,member communication parameters and member connection information. Theinformation can also include router information, physical and logicaladdress information about the routers, and any other informationrelating to the routers. The information can include the member typeparameters (e.g., radio types), member communication parameters (e.g.,channels, frequency hopping parameters), member security parameters(e.g., encryption parameters, decryption parameters), configurationtiming and task and member priority information.

In one aspect of the invention, the configuration information includes anetwork operational database defining the members of the network,priorities, groupings and initial grouping connections, configurationtiming information informs the routers when it is time to switch over tothe new configuration and a set of management information blocks. Themanagement information blocks contain data for reconfiguring members inthe network in accordance with the new configuration.

At 420, the configuration information is transmitted to one or morerouters in the voice communication system. The transmission can be madeusing SNMP or the like. At 430, the routers use the configurationinformation to generate respective router databases for the one or morerouters. The methodology then proceeds to 440. At 440, a group selectioninterface is generated that allows a user to select between voicecommunications with one or more of the defined groupings. Themethodology then proceeds to 450. At 450, a user selects between one ormore communication groups to begin transmitting and receiving voicecommunications. The methodology then proceeds to 460.

At 460, the methodology determines whether a user has changed theselected group(s). If the user has changed the selected group(s) (YES),the methodology returns to 450 to begin voice communication with thenewly selected groups. If the user has not changed the selected group(s)(NO), the methodology proceeds to 470. At 470, the methodologydetermines whether a user has modified the communication groupings. Ifthe user has changed the communication groupings (YES), the methodologyreturns to 410 to generate new configuration information. If the userhas not changed the communication groupings (NO), the methodologyreturns to 460 to determine if the selected group has changed. Voicecommunications continue with the selected communication group or groups,until a change in the selected group or a modification of thecommunication groupings occurs.

What has been described above includes exemplary implementations of thepresent invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that many further combinations and permutations of thepresent invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for transmitting voice messages to communication groups in atwo-way radio system from a voice hub system, the method comprising:defining a plurality of logical networks by a user employing an editorat the voice hub system; assigning individual two-way mobilecommunication units as members of different ones of the plurality oflogical network groups by the user employing the editor at the voice hubsystem; selecting individual two-way mobile communication units frommore than one of the plurality of logical network groups as members of agiven one of a plurality of different unit task organizations by theuser employing the editor at the voice hub system, wherein the logicalnetwork groups and unit task organizations form a plurality ofcommunication groups; generating configuration information based onmember groupings in response to completion of the member groupings;transmitting the configuration information from the voice hub system toat least one router, the at least one router generating a routerdatabase based on the configuration information; selecting by the useremploying an organization selector at the voice hub system at least onecommunication group of the plurality of communication groups to transmitand receive voice communications between the user and members of theselected at least one communication group; and routing the voicecommunications between the user and the members of the at least onecommunication group via a router.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transmitting voice messages from the voice hub system to aselected communication group, the voice messages routed to the two-waymobile communication units in the group using information in the messageand the router database.
 3. The method of claim 2, the transmittingvoice messages comprising transmitting voice messages in a multicasttransmission to members grouped across different logical networks. 4.The method of claim 2, the voice messages being processed as at leastone digitized voice packet having a header portion containing routinginformation.
 5. The method of claim 2, the configuration informationcomprising a network operational database defining logical networkgrouping connections and task organization grouping connections andmanagement information blocks having data for reconfiguring the router.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the editor comprises a first userinterface screen that allows the user to define the plurality of logicalnetwork groups, assign the individual two-way mobile communicationunits, and select the individual two-way mobile communication units, andwherein the organization selector comprises a second user interfacescreen that allows the user to select the at least one communicationgroup of the plurality of communication groups to transmit and receivevoice communications between the user and the members of the selected atleast one communication group.
 7. A voice hub system that provides voicecommunication with communication groups of a two-way radio system,comprising: means for defining a plurality of logical network groups andfor assigning individual two-way mobile communication units as membersof different ones of the plurality of logical network groups by a userinterface at the voice hub system; means for selecting individualtwo-way mobile communication units from more than one of the pluralityof logical network groups as members of a given one of a plurality ofdifferent unit task organizations at the voice hub system, wherein thelogical network groups and unit task organizations form a plurality ofcommunication groups; means for selecting by the user at least one ofthe plurality of communication groups for voice communications betweenthe user at the voice hub system and the members of the selected atleast one communication group of the plurality of communication groups;means for automatically disseminating configuration information based onthe groupings, the configuration information used to route voicemessages between the voice hub system and the selected communicationgroup, the configuration information comprising a network operationaldatabase defining logical network grouping connections and taskorganization grouping connections and management information blockshaving data for reconfiguring the router; and means for routing voicemessages between the user at the voice hub system and the members of theselected at least one of the plurality of communication groups.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein at least one unit task organization groupcomprising a group of two-way radio devices across a plurality oflogical networks.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the unit taskorganization groups include selected individual members from at leasttwo different logical network groups, such that the selected individualmembers form a given logical network group is less than a number ofmembers forming the logical network group.